Suspected antique school bus thief arrested in Pinon Hills

A Phelan man was arrested on suspicion of stealing an antique school bus from a Pinon Hills property owner.

The Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station reported that at 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, deputies responded to the area of Yucca Terrace and Pionero roads in Pinon Hills.

A caller told sheriff’s officials that he was in the process of building a new home on the property when someone recently came onto the property and stole an antique fire engine.

The caller also said he believed that someone was now on the property trying to steal an antique school bus.

Upon arrival at the property, deputies found David Lee Jeffries, 52, who had the school bus connected to his semi-truck and was preparing to leave.

Jeffries was arrested for grand theft auto and booked at High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, with bail set at $50,000.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about the incident is asked by the Sheriff’s Department to contact Deputy A. Hahalkin at the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-552-6800. Callers can remain anonymous by contacting We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or online at wetip.com.